To the City and the World

The astronomical, mechanical, and topographical difficulties resolved, finally came the question of finance. The sum required was far too great for any individual, or even any single State, to provide the requisite millions.

Once the astronomical, mechanical, and topographical difficulties were resolved, the question of funding finally arose. The millions needed were far too much for any individual or even a single state to provide.

President Barbicane undertook, despite of the matter being a purely American affair, to render it one of universal interest, and to request the financial co-operation of all peoples. It was, he maintained, the right and duty of the whole earth to interfere in the affairs of its satellite. The subscription opened at Baltimore extended properly to the whole world—Urbi et orbi.

Although the project was purely an American affair, President Barbicane set out to make it a matter of worldwide interest. He also sought financial support from all peoples. He argued that the whole earth had the right and duty to take part in the affairs of its satellite. The fundraising campaign that began in Baltimore properly extended to the whole world, Urbi et orbi.

This subscription was successful beyond all expectation; notwithstanding that it was a question not of lending but of giving the money. It was a purely disinterested operation in the strictest sense of the term, and offered not the slightest chance of profit.

The fundraising effort was more successful than anyone expected, even though people were asked to give money, not lend it. The effort was entirely selfless, in the strictest sense of the word, and offered no chance of profit.

The effect, however, of Barbicane’s communication was not confined to the frontiers of the United States; it crossed the Atlantic and Pacific, invading simultaneously Asia and Europe, Africa and Oceanica. The observatories of the Union placed themselves in immediate communication with those of foreign countries. Some, such as those of Paris, Petersburg, Berlin, Stockholm, Hamburg, Malta, Lisbon, Benares, Madras, and others, transmitted their good wishes; the rest maintained a prudent silence, quietly awaiting the result. As for the observatory at Greenwich, seconded as it was by the twenty- two astronomical establishments of Great Britain, it spoke plainly enough. It boldly denied the possibility of success, and pronounced in favor of the theories of Captain Nicholl. But this was nothing more than mere English jealousy.

The effect of Barbicane’s announcement, however, did not stop at the borders of the United States. It crossed the Atlantic and Pacific, reaching Asia, Europe, Africa, and Oceanica at the same time. The Union’s observatories immediately contacted observatories in other countries. Some sent their good wishes. These included the observatories in Paris, Petersburg, Berlin, Stockholm, Hamburg, Malta, Lisbon, Benares, and Madras. The rest wisely kept quiet and waited for the result. The Greenwich observatory, backed by Great Britain’s twenty-two astronomical establishments, spoke plainly enough. It boldly declared that success was impossible and came out in favor of Captain Nicholl’s theories. But this was nothing more than English jealousy.

On the 8th of October President Barbicane published a manifesto full of enthusiasm, in which he made an appeal to “all persons of good will upon the face of the earth.” This document, translated into all languages, met with immense success.

On October 8, President Barbicane published an enthusiastic manifesto appealing to “all people of goodwill on earth.” The document was translated into every language and was a huge success.

Subscription lists were opened in all the principal cities of the Union, with a central office at the Baltimore Bank, 9 Baltimore Street.

Subscription lists were opened in all the major cities of the Union. The central office was at the Baltimore Bank, 9 Baltimore Street.

In addition, subscriptions were received at the following banks in the different states of the two continents:

In addition, the following banks in the various states of the two continents accepted contributions:

Three days after the manifesto of President Barbicane $4,000,000 were paid into the different towns of the Union. With such a balance the Gun Club might begin operations at once. But some days later advices were received to the effect that foreign subscriptions were being eagerly taken up. Certain countries distinguished themselves by their liberality; others untied their purse-strings with less facility—a matter of temperament. Figures are, however, more eloquent than words, and here is the official statement of the sums which were paid in to the credit of the Gun Club at the close of the subscription.

Three days after President Barbicane’s manifesto, $4,000,000 had been collected in towns across the Union. With that money, the Gun Club could begin operations at once. But a few days later, news came that people abroad were eagerly contributing too. Some countries were especially generous. Others were less willing to open their purses. It was a matter of temperament. But figures speak louder than words. Here is the official statement of the sums paid into the Gun Club’s account by the close of the fundraising campaign.

Russia paid in as her contingent the enormous sum of 368,733 roubles. No one need be surprised at this, who bears in mind the scientific taste of the Russians, and the impetus which they have given to astronomical studies—thanks to their numerous observatories.

Russia contributed the enormous sum of 368,733 roubles. This should surprise no one who remembers the Russians' taste for science. Thanks to their many observatories, they have given a great boost to the study of astronomy.

France began by deriding the pretensions of the Americans. The moon served as a pretext for a thousand stale puns and a score of ballads, in which bad taste contested the palm with ignorance. But as formerly the French paid before singing, so now they paid after having had their laugh, and they subscribed for a sum of 1,253,930 francs. At that price they had a right to enjoy themselves a little.

France began by mocking the Americans’ ambitions. The moon inspired a thousand tired puns and twenty ballads, each as ignorant as it was tasteless. In the past, the French had paid before singing. Now they paid after having their laugh, contributing 1,253,930 francs. At that price, they had a right to enjoy themselves a little.

Austria showed herself generous in the midst of her financial crisis. Her public contributions amounted to the sum of 216,000 florins—a perfect godsend.

Austria was generous despite its financial crisis. Public contributions totaled 216,000 florins, a real godsend.

Fifty-two thousand rix-dollars were the remittance of Sweden and Norway; the amount is large for the country, but it would undoubtedly have been considerably increased had the subscription been opened in Christiana simultaneously with that at Stockholm. For some reason or other the Norwegians do not like to send their money to Sweden.

Sweden and Norway sent fifty-two thousand rix-dollars. This was a large amount for the country. But it would undoubtedly have been much larger if fundraising had begun in Christiana at the same time as in Stockholm. For some reason, the Norwegians do not like sending their money to Sweden.

Prussia, by a remittance of 250,000 thalers, testified her high approval of the enterprise.

Prussia showed its strong approval of the venture by sending 250,000 thalers.

Turkey behaved generously; but she had a personal interest in the matter. The moon, in fact, regulates the cycle of her years and her fast of Ramadan. She could not do less than give 1,372,640 piastres; and she gave them with an eagerness which denoted, however, some pressure on the part of the government.

Turkey was generous, but it had a personal interest in the matter. After all, the moon determines its calendar and the timing of its Ramadan fast. Turkey could hardly give less than 1,372,640 piastres. It gave the money eagerly, though that eagerness suggested some pressure from the government.

Belgium distinguished herself among the second-rate states by a grant of 513,000 francs—about two centimes per head of her population.

Belgium stood out among the second-rate countries by contributing 513,000 francs. That was about two centimes per person.

Holland and her colonies interested themselves to the extent of 110,000 florins, only demanding an allowance of five per cent. discount for paying ready money.

Holland and her colonies contributed 110,000 florins. They asked only for a five percent discount for paying in cash.

Denmark, a little contracted in territory, gave nevertheless 9,000 ducats, proving her love for scientific experiments.

Though Denmark had lost some territory, it still gave 9,000 ducats, showing its love of scientific experiments.

The Germanic Confederation pledged itself to 34,285 florins. It was impossible to ask for more; besides, they would not have given it.

The Germanic Confederation pledged 34,285 florins. It was impossible to ask for more. Besides, they would not have given more.

Though very much crippled, Italy found 200,000 lire in the pockets of her people. If she had had Venetia she would have done better; but she had not.

Although Italy was badly crippled, its people contributed 200,000 lire. If Italy had possessed Venetia, it would have done better, but it did not.

The States of the Church thought that they could not send less than 7,040 Roman crowns; and Portugal carried her devotion to science as far as 30,000 cruzados. It was the widow’s mite—eighty-six piastres; but self-constituted empires are always rather short of money.

The States of the Church thought they could not send less than 7,040 Roman crowns. Portugal showed its devotion to science by sending 30,000 cruzados. It was the widow’s mite, just eighty-six piastres. But self-proclaimed empires are always rather short of money.

Two hundred and fifty-seven francs, this was the modest contribution of Switzerland to the American work. One must freely admit that she did not see the practical side of the matter. It did not seem to her that the mere despatch of a shot to the moon could possibly establish any relation of affairs with her; and it did not seem prudent to her to embark her capital in so hazardous an enterprise. After all, perhaps she was right.

Switzerland’s modest contribution to the American project was 257 francs. We must admit that Switzerland did not see the practical side of the matter. It did not think that simply firing a projectile at the moon could establish any connection with it. And it did not think it wise to invest its money in such a risky venture. After all, perhaps Switzerland was right.

As to Spain, she could not scrape together more than 110 reals. She gave as an excuse that she had her railways to finish. The truth is, that science is not favorably regarded in that country, it is still in a backward state; and moreover, certain Spaniards, not by any means the least educated, did not form a correct estimate of the bulk of the projectile compared with that of the moon. They feared that it would disturb the established order of things. In that case it were better to keep aloof; which they did to the tune of some reals.

As for Spain, it could scrape together only 110 reals. It gave the excuse that it had railways to finish. The truth is that science is not held in high regard there and remains backward. Moreover, some Spaniards, by no means the least educated, misjudged the size of the projectile compared with the moon. They feared the projectile would disturb the established order of things. If so, it was better to stay out of the project. And Spain did, to the tune of a few reals.

There remained but England; and we know the contemptuous antipathy with which she received Barbicane’s proposition. The English have but one soul for the whole twenty-six millions of inhabitants which Great Britain contains. They hinted that the enterprise of the Gun Club was contrary to the “principle of non-intervention.” And they did not subscribe a single farthing.

Only England remained. And we know the contempt and hostility with which she received Barbicane’s proposal. The English have just one soul shared among all twenty-six million inhabitants of Great Britain. They suggested that the Gun Club’s enterprise was contrary to the “principle of non-intervention.” And they did not contribute a single penny.

At this intimation the Gun Club merely shrugged its shoulders and returned to its great work. When South America, that is to say, Peru, Chili, Brazil, the provinces of La Plata and Columbia, had poured forth their quota into their hands, the sum of $300,000, it found itself in possession of a considerable capital, of which the following is a statement:

At this news, the Gun Club simply shrugged its shoulders and returned to its great work. South America contributed $300,000 from Peru, Chili, Brazil, the provinces of La Plata, and Columbia. With this contribution, the club had a considerable amount of money, as shown below:

Such was the sum which the public poured into the treasury of the Gun Club.

That was the amount the public poured into the Gun Club's treasury.

Let no one be surprised at the vastness of the amount. The work of casting, boring, masonry, the transport of workmen, their establishment in an almost uninhabited country, the construction of furnaces and workshops, the plant, the powder, the projectile, and incipient expenses, would, according to the estimates, absorb nearly the whole. Certain cannon-shots in the Federal war cost one thousand dollars apiece. This one of President Barbicane, unique in the annals of gunnery, might well cost five thousand times more.

No one should be surprised by the enormous sum. Estimates showed that the work would use up nearly all of it. The costs included casting, boring, masonry, and transporting workers and settling them in an almost uninhabited country. They also included building furnaces and workshops, buying equipment, powder, and the projectile, and covering initial expenses. During the Federal war, some cannon shots cost a thousand dollars each. President Barbicane's shot was unique in the history of gunnery. It could well cost five thousand times more.

On the 20th of October a contract was entered into with the manufactory at Coldspring, near New York, which during the war had furnished the largest Parrott, cast-iron guns. It was stipulated between the contracting parties that the manufactory of Coldspring should engage to transport to Tampa Town, in southern Florida, the necessary materials for casting the Columbiad. The work was bound to be completed at latest by the 15th of October following, and the cannon delivered in good condition under penalty of a forfeit of one hundred dollars a day to the moment when the moon should again present herself under the same conditions—that is to say, in eighteen years and eleven days.

On October 20, a contract was signed with the factory at Coldspring, near New York. During the war, the factory had supplied the largest Parrott cast-iron guns. Under the contract, the Coldspring factory agreed to transport the materials needed to cast the Columbiad to Tampa Town in southern Florida. The work had to be completed by October 15 of the following year at the latest. The cannon also had to be delivered in good condition. Otherwise, the factory would pay a penalty of one hundred dollars a day until the moon appeared under the same conditions again. That would be in eighteen years and eleven days.

The engagement of the workmen, their pay, and all the necessary details of the work, devolved upon the Coldspring Company.

The Coldspring Company was responsible for hiring and paying the workers and handling all the necessary details of the work.

This contract, executed in duplicate, was signed by Barbicane, president of the Gun Club, of the one part, and T. Murchison director of the Coldspring manufactory, of the other, who thus executed the deed on behalf of their respective principals.

Two copies of the contract were signed by Barbicane, president of the Gun Club, and T. Murchison, director of the Coldspring manufactory. Each signed on behalf of those they represented.